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Not knowing the definition of "burlesque," didn't keep Eagle resident Patricia Rouaud from going to the Alpine Art Center's An Evening of Burlesque show last year.

"It was my first time. We don't have much that type of thing in town. It was very interesting, very different and it really was a lot of fun," said Rouaud, who is from Belgium originally.

She plans to attend the show again this year, but this time she's bringing her husband.

"I'll see what he thinks. A man's perspective is always a bit different," Rouaud said.

The third annual show is set for Saturday night at the Edwards art center. The event begins at 7 p.m. and burlesque performances will take place at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Alpine Arts Center is bringing back the Ooh La La Burlesque dancers by popular demand. If you've never experienced a real burlesque performance or seen an erotic art show, this is one night you won't want to miss, said Lauren Merrill, the owner of Alpine Arts Center.

"Ooh La La Burlesque puts on an amazing show," Merrill said. "Both male and female dancers are performing at the event, so it makes for a fun date night or an evening out with friends. The entire arts center is transformed with mood lighting and edgy artwork to give the full effect."

Ooh La La Burlesque was started by Fanny Fitztightlee and Kitty Crimson. The two met in New Orleans, and then brought their upbeat, surprise around every corner, burlesque entertainment to the Denver area 10 years ago. Since then, they have developed quite a following and reputation for being able to perform anywhere to just about everything, from Sinatra to Slayer.

While the dancers do a striptease, everyone we talked to emphasized that it's a tasteful show.

"I don't know that anyone knew what to expect from performers last year," said Eagle resident Glenn Samuelson, a local artist who attended. "They're very professional. There's nothing super lewd or weird; they don't get totally nude. But it was certainly a lot of fun. They interact with crowd. There was a full house of people that were excited to be there."

'A little bit risque'

The event is a fundraiser for Alpine Arts Center. Along with the burlesque show, erotica-themed paintings, scultpures and more, all made by local artists, will be auctioned off during a silent auction. Proceeds will go towards Alpine Arts Center's Youth Scholarship Fund through the Vail Youth Foundation.

More than a dozen artists have been creating art for the event, Merrill said.

"We have a few pieces here already and I've seen some photos of the art," she said. "It's really a great mix of paintings, a couple of sculptures, all different mediums, and all sizes of work. Some are very tasteful and some are in-your-face funny. It's a nice mix."

Samuelson made two sculptures for this year's event.

"I just sculpted a woman's breast out of stone," he said. "It's just for fun, something completely different than you would do any other time.

"The show is a little bit risque," Samuelson continued. "The works that people brought last year was a lot of figurative work, a lot of nudes and provocative pieces. It's fun to push the limits with art and have an evening out that's an adventure. I think it's the perfect lead up to Valentines Day."

Tickets are $40 and include a drink ticket and aphrodisiac appetizers from Two Guys Catering who have a tasty menu lined up: roasted figs with prosciutto and lavendar honey, ahi tuna nachos, wild mushroom toast points and chocolate covered strawberries, and more. DJ's Mark and K from Radio Free Minturn will help emcee the evening.

Attendees must be 21 to get in. To purchase tickets or learn about other art offerings at Alpine Arts Center, go to www.alpineartscenter.org or call 970-926-2732. Alpine Arts Center is located on the first level of the Edwards Commercial Park, 210 Edwards Village Blvd. Unit A105.